The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21th, 1921. CHRISTMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21th, 1921. CHRISTMAS.

CuniST.MAN is Christmas the world over. In other words it is recognised universally. It is a very distinctive milestone in the year, and is in itself the c'liel testive season of a year crowded with many festivals. Christmas 'Which commenced from very circumscribed beginnings now has a vogue in practically all parts of the world. It is intended to remind us of a gospel love, of peace and goodwill to all. As Christianity spread, that gospel lias carried to the four corners of the earth, and even those who may proless no creed, or who have a creed other than Christianity, have regard for the occasion, and the brotul world message it carries. It is a season when discord ceases and agreement reaches fruition. This is so for old and young, for rich and poor. It makes an apl eal to all human nature, and causes generous promptings ami good actions in a broad spirit of tolerante such as Dickens has delighted to pourtray in his famous writings. Christinas seems

to create, or rather to recreate, a general spirit of optimism, and this radiates on all sides. Hopes were built a]) last Christmas, perhaps, which failed to collie to pass, expectations were thwarted by resolutions failing to mature. But with every Christmastide there is a recurring atmosphere which

seems to envelope all, and invest a community with recurring hopes and expectations, making the occasion always oqe ol joy lii 1 celebration. But, perhaps, we know that Christmas will pass and not bring us all the jov or pleasure w*e may look for. Even so.

the occasion loses nothing in its appeal. and year by year Christmas reechoes its message to the world at. large, which for a time at least, must lie the better for the experience. Although we limy not scan the outlook clearly, it is impossible to believe that time is passing without some benefit to humanity. Our history does not pause it is ever advancing, and we are carried with the times. Out of each Christmas then, good must come, and

the more general the observance the greater the advantage. The greater the respect paid to the message which the Christmas period conveys, the larger will lie the personal profit in the store of memories. The very essence of tlie message for peace and goodwill to all lias its direct effect, and as the seniors take it to heart and practice' tlie precept, so there is the reflection among the juniors. Indeed, Christmas, in many respects, lias become the particular festival of the home and tlie young. The reunion of families and friends, and the kindest thoughts for the young are the fust impressions of this notable period. Its approach is speculated upon and worked for, and

passing, it can hardly leave us the poorer, if homage lie paid in the right spirit to tlie festival. The young have their revels and their treats, and are impressed with the importance of the occasion. If they catch the true spirit of Christmas so much the better, for the lesson learned will never be forgotten, and they should be the better men and women all through life, be-

Ciiuso of their experience. Parents will do well therefore to celebrate Christmas in the family spirit, and the household will he the richer for the effort. The home, after all, is the lieginning place for citizenship, and the right spirit cultivated .there, enables the rising generation to pass out into the world with greater power for good. There is the call for the host that is in us just now, which makes it all the more necessary to sec Christmas observed aright. In the right spirit the festival can he very helpful to our race and its full and true observance will give to all that feeling of real happiness and pleasure which we wish our readers to-day in the familiar greeting at this period of the year, A MERRY CHRISTMAS!